City Cracks Down On Illegal Construction Jobs

Boynton Beach's code enforcement team has stepped up efforts to stop illegal construction projects in the city, halting nearly 1,000 construction projects initiated by unlicensed contractors and helping fraud victims recover more than $24,000, according to Boynton Beach police.

The four-member team made up of the city's chief field inspector, a code compliance officer, a contractor licensing investigator and a state workers' compensation investigator, have been responding to complaints of unlicensed workers and construction projects that lack permits since January 2007. The 921 instances in which the group found work being conducted without a permit brought in nearly $230,000 in fines to the city and also led to six arrests of construction workers on outstanding warrants.

Earlier this year, several Boynton Beach residents were scammed by the owner of a Delray Beach remodeling firm who allegedly took more than $100,000 in deposits for renovation projects he never finished. Police said he never filed for permits needed for the renovations.

The team, which relies on the Boynton Beach police for assistance in investigations, has also tried to educate consumers on the risks of hiring unlicensed contractors. In most cases, a resident's homeowner's insurance company won't cover damages due to work done without proper permits.

"Homeowners should do their due diligence to verify what these people are telling them," said Karl Swierzko, the city's chief building inspector. "We want to educate the public to pick up the phone and check to see if these people are licensed or have pulled permits."